Official thread TdF Stage 15 Pontarlier - Verbier - 207.5 km

[Irish2009]

No, I just don't understand how the guy became a TDF GT rider in just one year.

Perhaps the way Armstrong did in 1999?,

 

[benpounder]

Edited out.

 

[Darrylc]

Does anybody have the information about Contador's VO2 Max value?

I would like to know that too.

 

[Publicus]

Andy Schleck continues to write checks with his mouth that his legs can't cash:

Contador "had the yellow jersey in Paris-Nice and he lost it there. The race will not be over until the Champs Élysées," Schleck (Saxo Bank) said.

"He's a bit stronger than me, but he will have some pressure on him in the next days. It will not be a piece of cake for him," said Andy Schleck.

Gets his saddle handed to him by the guy he said was beatable, and yet he continues flapping his gums. Amazing. More pedaling, less talking Andy.

 

[benpounder]

If he'd admitted he was the fourth best guy on the team at the beginning of the race I might agree.

Had Levi not busted his wrist, I would have been rooting for him today. Given the pace set at the foot by Saxo and Garmin, it would have been interesting.

As for Lance, it was impressive what he did given how long he has been out of competition, but all the talk about him winning has been pure PR. We are ill served by a media that buys into the propaganda and foists upon us these never-to-be-questioned superstars. LA and JB played virtually everyone.

 

[Delicato]

Contador's VAM on this climb was approximately 1840, and power to weight ratio was close to 7 or nearly 7. Don't forget that the climb wasn't steep at all.

 

[Darrylc]

Andy Schleck continues to write checks with his mouth that his legs can't cash:

.





Gets his saddle handed to him by the guy he said was beatable, and yet he continues flapping his gums. Amazing. More pedaling, less talking Andy.

it is amazing how last year I had high opinions of Andy, how things change

 

[indurain666]

Contador's VAM on this climb was approximately 1840, and power to weight ratio was close to 7 or nearly 7. Don't forget that the climb wasn't steep at all.

Do you have any idea how does this compares to Pantani's numbers?? I am guessing its about the same?

 

[dadoorsron]

Had Levi not busted his wrist, I would have been rooting for him today. Given the pace set at the foot by Saxo and Garmin, it would have been interesting.

As for Lance, it was impressive what he did given how long he has been out of competition, but all the talk about him winning has been pure PR. We are ill served by a media that buys into the propaganda and foists upon us these never-to-be-questioned superstars. LA and JB played virtually everyone.

Well, PR is what the tour needs after getting beatin down the last 3 years with all the doping scandals. Losing all the major contenders in 06, O7 having entire teams removed, and 08 getting people busted as well.

 

[Irish2009]

Ok so this is done and dusted, the important thing is what happens next.

1.Contador : With out doubt the best at the moment as long as he dosen't "test positive" or get the "knock", or have "bad luck*

2.Armstrong : I could see him doing a Hinault in the next few days to try get yellow(who's going to chase him if he go's on a long one!!!!!)For someone out of the sport 3 yrs he has done brilliant but needs to try something radical to stay top 3.

3.Wiggins : What a ride today, but looking at him he was balls out earlier on the climb and recovered a bit to launch an attack, and finish ahead of Armstrong.Will he last or implode before next Sunday is the question.

4.Kloden : Should have been let ride for himself earlier, has the class, still a podium contender

5.Schleck : No motorbike in front of Contador today, should gain time on all the other GC contenders any time it goes uphill but will lose to much in ITT.


6.Nocentini : Great ride today , his team are in bits after holding jersey for so long, should hold on for top 10-15.


7.Nabili : Close but next year he should be ready for a crack at the podium(my tip for white jersey).

8.Martin : Will have to fight to get white jersey back(beat Schleck/Nabili) in ITT

9.Le Mevel : A revelation for the French along with Feillu if he stays top ten mission accomplished.

10, F.Schleck : Will be lucky to finish in top ten as he should put in on the line for Andy.

Just me rambling on anyone other ideas?

 

[benpounder]

The fight for white will be really interesting. Schleck took the jersey ahead of Nibali and Martin and that's the order of how good they climb too. However if we look at TT it's the opposite with Martin ahead of Nibali and Schleck. Looks like a setup for a close and exciting battle.

Indeed it is.

As is the mountaingoat jersey. The sprinters jersey would have been more interesting had Columbia not gotten too greedy (trying to solve two puzzles simultaneously) and blown yesterday's race.

 

[Delicato]

Do you have any idea how does this compares to Pantani's numbers?? I am guessing its about the same?

I was just giving the information about the particular rider's effort on the climb, nothing more.

 

[indurain666]

Had Levi not busted his wrist, I would have been rooting for him today. Given the pace set at the foot by Saxo and Garmin, it would have been interesting.

As for Lance, it was impressive what he did given how long he has been out of competition, but all the talk about him winning has been pure PR. We are ill served by a media that buys into the propaganda and foists upon us these never-to-be-questioned superstars. LA and JB played virtually everyone.

Poor Levi, if he would have been racing today he could have consolidated himself (perhaps) as America's top stage racer. My guess is that we would have been up there with F. Schleck and Wiggins.

 

[benpounder]

But Armstrong didn't, and the egg is on the face of every chamois sniffing, 3 week posting, fanboy. You all just gushed at his return and how he would do. You were reserved after Stage 1, more bold after Stage 3, indignant about stage 7, and last weekend all jumped on the "He can win it" bandwagon. Well, you were all wrong in your assessment. Tough to swallow, huh?

Man that is harsh... true but harsh.

 

[Four Winds]

My highlights from today:

Contador's acceleration (and LA's lack thereof!!!)

Wiggo just keeps getting better

The peloton passed a waterfall called the Cascade de Pi55evache. Now it's been a while since French O-level but doesn't that mean Cow's Pi55 Waterfall which is genius. Especially if, like me, your humour has struggled to get out of the playground.

 

[Mellow Velo]

What have we learn from today!

Alberto Contador will win the tour. I think we can agree on that. Lance Armstrong over hyped his form a bit. 4 years from his last win and he's 2nd 1:37 down. I think a Podium spot is well in his reach.For right now Armstrong will have to settle for 2 or third. Bradley Wiggins is a super big surprise. His performance will open up many doors of speculation on his performance. Who knew losing weight would matter so much?

No, some of us have known this for quite a while, so I guess you have learnt something, today.

Having chewbaccerd your way around the various threads, busily defending your hero, Lance, against any and all detractors, you now have the cheek to point a barely disguised finger of accusation at Bradley Wiggins.

If he is a doper Wiggins, Contador, schleck, evans and all of those guys do it to.

Edit that. No disguise on the LA thread.

On second thoughts, I guess you haven't learnt much, after all.

 

[dwyatt]

1. AC
2. Schleckette
3. ????

Don't see it myself. Schleck only gained 23 seconds on wiggins today, and is still 40 seconds behind. He will lose big time in the TT. Even if wiggins implodes he is still behind kloden and lance, who are both much better at the TT than him. Schleck was 4 minutes down in the final TT last year, might do better this time for sure but will lose big time for sure.

 

[benpounder]

Personally i wish both parties would shut up

Amen to that... you Dutch loving Aussie Wanker.

 

[Irish2009]

What have we learn from today!

Bradley Wiggins is a super big surprise. His performance will open up many doors of speculation on his performance. Who knew losing weight would matter so much?

So can you explain Armstrong's amazing 7 in a row as he was never considered by anyone as a GC contender pre cancer?

 

[Azdak6]

I have totally given up trying to explain the sport to my friends and family. It's so infuriating explaining things to them 4 or 5 times and they still don't get it.

In all fairness, it's not always that easy to figure out all the nuances, esp for non-cycling fans, or even for non-racing cycling fans. Add on to that the fact that you have little knowledgeable coverage--on TV or in print--in this country.

 

[benpounder]

Again, showing humility after you have been humiliated is not really that hard to do. His tweety words and interviews up to this point have been classless.

FWIW ... as does gloating over his failure.

I'm reading this thread from my first post (yesterday) about 4 hours after the finish (got in a nice mtn bike ride after seeing the race finish). I find the reactions fascinating. I know what it is like dealing with fanboys and fangirls – I do it daily – but the acrimony directed towards the fair-weather fan does not serve our favorite sport well.

 

[Anonymous]

FWIW ... as does gloating over his failure.

Major difference being that the world media isn't putting a microphone in my face and I am not twittering my thoughts to millions.

Again, Mr Armstrong made his own bed. I am merely enjoying watching him lie in it.

 

[benpounder]

Same here

Not me... I'm off skiing Nov thru April.

But I do pay attention to the pro peloton when they commence again in January.

 

[richwagmn]

Major difference being that the world media isn't putting a microphone in my face and I am not twittering my thoughts to millions.

Again, Mr Armstrong made his own bed. I am merely enjoying watching him lie in it.

Still not a bad performance. If I was Evans or Sastre I'd be much more hurt about my performance than Armstrong should be. My suspicions of LA's climbing potential from the Giro were confirmed today. He can do a pretty mean tempo, but doesn't have the top end any more. That's exactly what we saw in the Giro.

Sadly, Bruyneel has probably lost the best rider of this generation because of LA's comeback. I think that's a tremendous cost to pay. Not sure if JB can patch it up. Maybe with enough money it might work.

 

[Anonymous]

Still not a bad performance. If I was Evans or Sastre I'd be much more hurt about my performance than Armstrong should be. My suspicions of LA's climbing potential from the Giro were confirmed today. He can do a pretty mean tempo, but doesn't have the top end any more. That's exactly what we saw in the Giro.

Sadly, Bruyneel has probably lost the best rider of this generation because of LA's comeback. I think that's a tremendous cost to pay. Not sure if JB can patch it up. Maybe with enough money it might work.

I would think that will be hard. Actually, I would think that Armstrong wouldn't want him on his team next year if his plans really are to ride the TdF again like he said last week. It appears to me that he thinks another year of racing will better prepare him, and he could be right. The only problem is that men like Contador and Schlecklet are only going to get stronger also.

I also wouldn't be surprised to see Armstrong retire this year depending on what happens in the next week. If he becomes a non factor, I would think he will have to take a hard look at his plans.